Beineinu - April/May/June 2018

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Beineinu Iyar | Sivan 5778 April 16 - June 13, 2018

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table of contents Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Where We Find God - In Study, By Rabbi Rosenthal | pg. 3-4 Jewish Continuity

B'nai Mitzvah | Pg. 5

Yasher Koach | Pg. 5

Beineinu Deadlines | Pg. 5

In Memoriam | Pg. 6

Youth & Family Programming

From the Director of education | Pg. 7 -8

Kesher@AA Registration | Pg. 8

Mishloach Manot Fundraiser Recap | Pg. 8

Ahava ELC | pg. 9-10

Jews in the Pews - featuring Ivan Millender, minyaniare | pg. 11-12

Sisterhood | Pg. 13-14

Toasting our rebbetzins, by Bobby ezor | Pg. 15-16

Social Action

Blood Drive, by Gail Solomon | pg. 18 Capital Campaign News

Thank you to our donors | pg. 19

Camp Shabbat | Pg. 22

Calendar and volunteer

Events and volunteer opportunities | pg. 20-21

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Tikkun Leil Shavuot May 19 - May 20 | 6:00 pm - 8:30 am Join AA (in partnership with the Temple) for a night of learning and fun, featuring presentations on spiritual journeys, story-telling, a text study on the Book of Psalms, visits from distinguished rabbis and educators from around Atlanta, Jewish cooking and art, and more!

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Where we find god - in study A Shavuot Spiritual Guide

by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

H

ow do we build a relationship with God? In some spiritual traditions the first step onto the spiritual journey is through belief. There is the thought that a relationship with God is predicated on belief.

Interestingly for Judaism, belief isn’t the first door to be opened.

There are many steps that lead us on a spiritual path before we come to a specific idea or belief… and even when we get to that first belief there are a myriad of commentaries, explanations and arguments surrounding what that given belief actually means. I have sometimes heard that Judaism is a religion of ‘deed over creed.’ Although that statement is pithy and ideal for a bumper sticker, it isn’t exactly correct. Yes, Judaism has a lot of deeds that we are implored to follow, but the hope is that these actions will lead us to a certain belief or creed.

One of the most central beliefs for a spiritual community like ours is a belief in God. However, as I described above, that isn’t the first door to enter. In fact, belief in God isn’t even central to our holy scriptures. Jewishly, more important than a belief in God is a relationship with God. Now it’s at this point in my article that I should have lost you.

“I don’t need to believe”, you might say, “but I need to have a relationship?!” How does somebody have a relationship with something before they even believe it exists? Good question.

We have many models of these sorts of relationship structures but we have become so accustomed to them that we hardly see their effect. For example, think of an infant. An infant builds a relationship with its parents and caretakers before he/she is able to articulate the structure or true meaning of that relationship.

In this case, the relationship precedes the belief. Think about adopting children. They often consider their adopted parents as their ‘real’ parents even though they aren’t the biological parents.

Why? Because of the love and relationship that was cultivated from the start. Here is another example: What makes our belief in science, medicine, mathematics and other ‘provable’ sciences work? It isn’t only about knowledge; in reality, it does require a dose of trust. When I go to the doctor, I believe that the prescribed treatment is going to work, not because the science has been proven, but because I have been shown the empirical data and, together, we have analyzed the research. In truth, my belief in modern, Western medicine is about relationships and trust; I have a relationship with my doctor and I trust in the process because of my previous experiences.

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For Judaism, God and a belief in God are built on these same ideas. God is discovered and sustained in the relationship….not necessarily through belief. Will belief develop over the course of the relationship? One hopes so, but that depends upon those individuals engaging in the relationship itself…not on somebody sitting on the sidelines. Our holy scriptures don’t begin by imploring us to believe in God, but, instead, tell a story about a journey with the divine - a journey with many ups and downs.

Eventually, when God commands the Israelites to have no other gods before the one true God (the 10 Commandments; Exodus, Chapter 20), that command only comes after all the anecdotes revealing God’s relationship with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the stories of Joseph and his brothers. The commandments are received by the Jewish people after the ten plagues, the splitting of the sea and the Exodus from Egypt… not before. In other words, only after a relationship is established and the journey has begun, are we asked to ‘believe’ in God. This is the Jewish way.

Exploring the opening question of this essay: how do we build a relationship with God? How do we journey with the divine?

Well…Judaism has many tools to help, but not all methods are equal. Unfortunately, the mainstream Jewish community usually puts forward prayer as the primary method for communing with HaKadosh Barach Hu. Prayer is great, but it’s a muscle that needs to be strengthened over time; it’s not an easy entry point. I often find the prayer book to be a difficult text to understand and relate to. Meaning is shrouded in phrases and metaphors that require a great depth of Biblical knowledge; psalms’ repetitive nature is off-putting to the modern intellect, and the content describes a spiritual posture that can seem archaic and irrelevant to the modern spiritual mind. As a prayer practitioner, I would argue that there is much depth, beauty and wisdom to be found in the prayer book, but it takes time and practice to flex that muscle.

For me, the most accessible spiritual practice is study. Now, this is a bit confusing because we often think about study as the precursor rather than an end unto itself. Our modern mind tells us that we study something before we actually do it. We study medicine before we become doctors, we study law before we become lawyers; but for Jewish spiritual practice, we find that study is a spiritual practice in and of itself. A look at one of the central spiritual texts of the Jewish people, the Talmud, finds many of the stories taking place in the Beit Midrash (house of learning) rather than the Beit Tefillah (house of prayer). The heroes of the texts aren’t known and revered for their spiritual aura, but rather for their dedication to learning.

Our congregation, Ahavath Achim, has a long history of study as spiritual practice. When I first arrived at AA, I was impressed that we hold a weekly Shabbat Morning Torah Study, not preceding, but during, the prayer service. Many congregations hold Torah study before the Morning Prayer service. The time difference doesn’t seem to be a big deal but the statement is profound. Those

congregations that precede the morning service with Torah are communicating that study is a precursor or springboard to prayer, whereas our congregation is making a very different statement - Torah study is as an authentic spiritual offering as prayer.

My argument is this: although Jewish prayer is amazing, it isn’t the only spiritual practice available. Study is also a way to God and a journey worth taking and no other holiday exemplifies this spiritual practice better than Shavuot.

This year, we have an entire night of spiritual paths for all of us to walk, beginning on Saturday evening, May 26, with a Shabbat Seudah Shlisheet (Third Meal) and learning. After Havdalah, the holiday begins and we start our fascinating learning – as is our congregation’s practice, we will have concurrent tracks offering something for every learning practitioner.

This year’s all night intensive (one of the tracks of learning) will be focused on the idea of community in a world of radical individualism. Take a Shabbos nap (Saturday afternoon) and be ready to learn straight through the night until Sunday morning when we will join together for our sunrise outdoor Morning Prayer service.

We learn in our Mishnah (Pirkei Avot 3:7) Rabbi Chalafta ben Dosa of Kfar Chananiah says: Ten who sit together and engage in Torah, the Divine Presence rests among them. The Midrashic tradition adds to this idea and offers the following: (Sefrai Mishlai) Two people who sit together and learn, the divine presence dwells among them. Come, learn together and continue your spiritual journey. God is waiting for you along the way.

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Jewish continuity b'nai mitzvah

mazal tov to our young members and their loved ones on this milestone

Madelyn Bree Segal

Mincha Rivkah bat Velvel Abraham v’Sarah Hanna Madelyn will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on April 21. Madelyn is the daughter of Drs. Julie and William Segal and granddaughter of Jill and Joseph Segal and Lois and Fredrick Miller. She has a brother, Levi Mendel Segal, and a sister, Ava Rose Segal.

For her Mitzvah Project, Madelyn worked with TreesAtlanta to plant trees on the Beltline for Tu B'Shvat.

She also dedicated a tree and bench at Chastain Park in memory of her aunt, Brenna Segal. Everyone then participated in a walk for the two charities. Mazal Tov, Madelyn!

Yasher Koach On January 24, 2018 Ethan Aftergut achieved the status of Eagle Scout.

Ethan, now a senior in High School, has been in scouts since first grade. For Ethan’s Eagle Project, he built a bridge at J.P. Moseley park in McDonough GA, to improve mobility to and from the disc golf course. Some very proud family members are his parents, Stephanie and Brian Aftergut, his brother, Matthew Aftergut, and his grandparents, Cookie and Fred Aftergut and Adele and Alan Burnham. Mazal Tov, Ethan!

Micah Asher Povlot Micah ben Avram haCohen v'Ariela Shifra

Micah will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on May 12. Micah is the son of Dara and Arthur Povlot and grandson of Debra and Harris Povlot. He has a brother, Ethan Povlot. Mazal Tov, Micah!

Beineinu deadlines The deadline to submit content for the next Beineinu is May 2, 2018. The issue will cover events during the months of Tammuz and Av (June 14 August 11, 2018) The rest of the Beineinu dates for 2018 are as follows: • Elul/Tishrei/Cheshvan (August 12 - November) Content deadline July 3 • Kislev/Tevet/Shevat (November 9 - February 5) Content deadline October 3

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in memoriam Hamakom Yeenachem... May God comfort the loved ones of...

MARVIN BLUMBERG Brother of Betsy Teplis

SALLY LEVIN Mother of Michael (Ann) Levin

WILLIAM (BILL) BUCHMAN Husband of Joyce Buchman

BRENDA "BUNNY" FELDMAN Mother of Joel (Allison) Feldman

LEON COOPER Brother of Barbara (Dick) Planer

MOREY G. PLAVIN Father of Dr. Stanford (Tally) Plavin

SHARON SEGALL Sister of Dr. Nathan (Harriet Landau) Segall

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Youth & Family Programming From the Director of Education

I

n Hebrew, the word ‫ לשנות‬has two possible meanings, “to repeat” and “to change”. At first glance, the meanings of this word seem to be a paradox, but after some thought, connections between the two become more apparent. At times the more we try to change, the more we repeat our actions, mistakes, and assumptions. In addition, when we see that something is successful, we try to repeat how we prepared and implemented it, only to see that many variables will cause an inevitable change. We want to think that we have control over how we change, evolve, and mature, but ultimately we see that we follow the pattern that is familiar to us. These repetitions could be because of a fear of failure, lack of ambition, or because we are not sure where to start.

by Marc Silberstein

One area where I am excited to expand our programming is on Shabbat. I have written before about my memories of Shabbat morning as a child at Ahavath Achim, and the profound impact it had on me. I am also aware that, in many ways, I was an anomaly as a child, and many of my peers did not share this passion. This awareness has pushed me to think about the experience of those who may feel uncomfortable or disconnected during prayer or religious experiences. For those in that demographic, my job is less to educate than it is to inculcate, meaning to usher them into these new experiences and assist them to find a connection that was long forgotten or possibly never existed. This was my motive in creating Not Your Normal Minyan, an alternative Shabbat morning tefillah for parents and kids that want to enrich their experience and take time to process the reasons we gather together on Shabbat, sing our songs, learn Torah, and, of course, eat delicious food. This minyan is meant to connect each participant with every other participant, with God, and most importantly with him- or herself as we utilize meditation, discussion, niggunim, and movement to expand the words we have heard so many times.

Another important program that I am excited to rollout is a multiyear Bar/Bat Mitzvah program which will create connections This concept can be best summed up by linking the verb ‫ לשנות‬with between children and adults as they navigate their way through a word that is intrinsically connected with it, ‫ שנה‬or “year”. We this experience. Our program will begin for children in the third come into each new year, whether it is the Jewish or secular new grade, which is the time most students select their Bar/Bat Mitzvah year, the new fiscal year, the new school year or the start of a new dates. This program will include special Shabbatot where the personal trip around the sun with high hopes for what we can students will have a hand in leading, and will be accompanied with accomplish. As we progress through the new time period, we a Shabbat meal where the goal will be to make new connections encounter external and internal obstacles we did not expect. with those in our community. For parents, the goal behind these When starting something new, it may take all of our strength to programs is to create a space where people can share both the overcome the fear of failure, and move towards an acceptance of it highs and lows of raising a Jewish child in 21st century America. along with the growth that it will hopefully accompany.

For our children, we are able to create a community of learners at any early age. When children see their parents taking this time The process I just described can be directly related to the process seriously, and walking away with a sense of purpose, they will be of change that we have tried to push here at Home Beis@AA (the able to internalize what the Bar/Bat Mitzvah can be, beyond a big new name of our Education Department). As an educator, I came party and a multitude of gifts. Over time, these engagements will in to this position with a vision of what I believed the ‘right’ Jewish make the Bar/Bat Mitzvah itself more meaningful because the education should be. I also knew that just because I had a vision children will see their peers shine, will know the feeling of success, did not mean that it would fit into our community.This past year will hear our community celebrate them, and will be capable of I have tried to absorb as much as I could about what our kehilla sharing those experiences with younger students as they progress values, and what we can add or develop in order to support those through our program. beliefs.

I wrote in a previous Beineinu about the role Hebrew and One value that I have heard repeated over and over is related to Jewish literacy can play in the development of a rich Jewish the creation of substantive and sustainable relationships.These identity. My beliefs guide the role I feel content retention and can be defined as Bein Adam L’Chavero (between two people), enrichment should play in our program. This growth requires a Bein Adam L’Makom (between a person and God), and Bein Adam large dedication of time and energy, but the more we flex those L’Atzmo (between a person and him/herself). In my role, I try to cognitive muscles, the easier it becomes. Our role here is to create consider how I can incorporate as many of those dispositions into as many opportunities as possible for individuals to strengthen every experience offered here at the AA, and this is evident in the their best Jewish self. In the coming year, we hope to roll out a new initiatives we hope to roll out in the 2018-19 school year. program we call Kesher Plus. We will be opening classes for ALL families, not just those enrolled in our Sunday program, as we

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venture out to different parts of the city. These classes will run for two hours, and will be split between a Judaic topic and Hebrew practice. Students will be split up in groups of 2nd-4th grade and 5th-7th grade, and topics will vary depending on the time of year.

We will be visiting each area twice a month, and are excited to gather with all of you to learn and grow.

I am very proud of the progress we have made in our Hebrew program in our Sunday program, but I believe that it is important Hebrew does not take on a wholly utilitarian role. By this I mean that I want to move past the notion that Hebrew is learned to prepare a child for Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and serves no other purpose.

Hebrew has been the expression of the Jewish soul for thousands of years, and the renaissance it has experienced in the past century is almost miraculous. In the hopes of bringing Hebrew to life here at the AA, I want to introduce a Shulchan Ivrit (Hebrew table) where we will congregate once a month during Kiddush on Shabbat. We are inviting all Hebrew speakers, and those wanting to learn to speak conversational Hebrew to join for this great opportunity!

As Nicole Flom, Assistant Director of Education, and I worked to develop these programs and introduce a change to our community, I kept returning to one image, a family. I did not

know who they were, but I knew they were juggling infinite responsibilities and identities. The parents want to offer their children every opportunity they had as children, and society expects their child to do everything. There are points in their lives when time is the most valuable commodity they have.

They care about their Jewish background, but are unsure about the role Judaism will play in their family’s life. For this family, I do not believe the synagogue should dictate what their Jewish lives should look like; rather it can offer a guide of how to place Judaism within the lives that they love.

Our community is blessed with an amazing diversity of interests, beliefs, and personalities and we should support all of those to be incorporated into what we do. In this vein, I ask all of you to please reach out to us with thoughts, concerns, or ways that you would like to add to our mission of enriching independent Jewish souls to seek out the best versions of themselves. We look forward to continuing our work of ‫לשנות‬, to continually change and evolve with our families, and repeating our beliefs and maintaining the identity that can make us all proud.

As we expand upon our programs, please be checking the Kesher@AA page on the AA website for updated information!

Registration is open!

Registration for Jewish Supplementary Education (Ages 3 18) is now open! Through our program, children will be inspired and curious about Judaism as they encounter a variety of topics through enriching, authentic, and engaging activities. Found out more about what we offer at aasynagogue.org/education/kesheraa. Questions? Contact Marc Silberstein at msilberstein@aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5748.

Thank you for a successful mishloach manot fundraiser!

Every year for Purim, Ahavath Achim Synagogue provides the community with an opportunity to participate in the mitzvah of giving Mishloach Manot (Purim gift baskets). At Ahavath Achim, the act of giving Mishloach Manot is not only a way to raise funds for our youth and family programming but a way for us to personally engage with the entire community. This year, thanks to our amazing volunteers and staff, approximately 900 Mishloach Manot were hand-delivered to members of our AA community. An additional 60 Mishloach Manot were donated to The William Breman Jewish Home and given to residents who, otherwise, would not have received a gift bag. We raised almost $6,000 for youth and family programming, a $2,000 increase from last year! Thank you to everyone who made this fundraiser such a success!

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Ahava ELC

a message from the director by hannah williams

T

ake a peek into the newsletters that our parents receive!

We strive to keep all of our families informed not only of their own child’s progress, but also about happenings that are classwide. Enjoy!

We also have been working on our transitions when we walk through the school. We sing songs to the children to help them recognize when it is time to transition and where we are going. One afternoon, Carter led the class by singing, "we are marching, we are marching, to the door"! We look forward to continuing our explorations next week and celebrating Purim together!

Shalom - Infants What a wonderful week it has been in Kehillat Shalom! We were so happy to welcome Noah and his parents to our classroom community!

This week, we used our fine and large motor skills, as well as our sensory skills, to explore different items. We explored sound and heaviness of objects by banging on pots and pans. We watched bubbles float through the air, which helps us develop our visual tracking skills. We explored textured scarves, which help us experiment with the ideas of object permanence.

In addition to all the fun and exploration in the classroom, we were able to get outside for extended periods of time to enjoy the great weather that we have had this week. Not only did we go for long walks in our strollers, we even had a Kehillat Shalom picnic lunch! We are constantly growing and exploring and we look forward to experiencing Purim with all of our senses!

Tikvah - Toddlers Kehillat Tikvah has continued to explore birds. Beth brought in real nests for our class to investigate and experience the beauty of teva (nature). The children took turns observing and touching the nests and seemed to be very interested in their textures. We even placed a toy bird in the nest to show the children where the birds rest.

In addition to birds, the children also seemed to take a great interest in cars. Whenever we see a car in our story books, Sam points it out and yells "car"! The children also seem to enjoy rolling the toy cars on ramps. For our car activity, we gathered multiple toy vehicles and some paint in our class. The children dipped the vehicles' wheels into the paint and then rolled them on a large piece of butcher paper. The result was a number of unique colorful designs!

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Simcha - Young 2’s In Simcha, we are supporting the children's efforts to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials by providing opportunities and encouragement for children to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings through a variety of activities, including art, music and movement, dance, role-play, and design.

As the children learn and develop, they use and explore a variety of materials, experimenting with color, design, texture, and shape. The children were given the opportunity to work with individual clay trays. They used their fingers, water, and plastic utensils to mold the clay. We also used invisible paint paper and water to "paint" and create patterns and images. "I'm making a dinosaur. What are you making?" Kavita asked. "I'm making a lion with Jojo," said Joshua. The children also had the opportunity to work with various animal cut outs, glue, and scenic backgrounds to which they could attach things. The children enjoyed having the freedom to exercise choice and act with free will. In Hebrew, the value of seeking freedom is known as cheirut. In the upcoming week, we will provide many art activities both inside and outside the classroom to continue to encourage children to experiment.

Yofi - Older 2’s Yofi teachers introduced classroom jobs to the students for the first time! We discussed all twelve jobs, including gardener, naptime comforter, librarian, clean-up inspector, and many more, and then each child took a turn picking a job for the week.

The students have been enjoying exercising a newfound sense of responsibility in the classroom and are proud to remind each other of their jobs for the week.

The students had opportunities to explore many different sensory materials this week, from rose-scented playdough to clay to big muddy puddles outside. One of the current interests in the class is construction and "working" materials, so this week, the class eagerly interacted with the new materials for constructing and

building together, with tools, dress-up outfits, and even golf tees and a Styrofoam board for hammering practice! Ruthie led a viscosity and mixtures experiment outdoors with the students, where they explored what happened when food coloring, oil, and water were added to a jar, then expanded the experiment to testing which objects would sink to the water and which would float on top of the oil layer: the squeals of delight were plentiful as students dropped wood chips, buttons, plastic straws, feathers, and more into the jars!

We're so very glad to be with your precious children every day: thank you for your partnership!

together for much of play time, then others join in as the play deepens. As the year continues and as we settle in to our new group and new routines, we look forward to fostering each child's growth in actualizing his or her best self.

Masa Ometz/3’s & 4’s Ometz spent time planning a celebration in honor of Dr. Seuss.

Students planned a cooking exploration to make snacks for our party. All week, they discussed their own ideas and carried out their own plans. They made posters to decorate, wrote “silly books like Dr. Seuss’ silly books”, listened to Dr. Seuss books, and figured out party activities. Students created data collection sheeets, surveyed friends on various preferences, and analyzed their data to learn all kinds of things such as: what ice cream the class likes best, which Dr. Seuss book is the class favorite, what kind of cake the class likes best, etc. The data they collected helped them make choices about what snacks we should make for the party. Many students are showing strong interest in learning to write letters, names, and words. We explored oil pastels at the art table this week, using them to do everything from making decorations to writing cards for friends who visited to drawing.

The baby washing in our sensory bin inspired dynamic dramatic play and empathy building. Our train tracks in blocks enticed more focused time from a wider variety of students who built, constructed, and designed.

Masa Hagshamah/3’s & 4’s Hagshamah, the new addition to our class name, has no direct translation in English. From the Hebrew word for rain, "geshem," hagshamah literally refers to the process of becoming rain and is understood as fulfilling, actualizing, or realizing.

Hagshamah is the process of turning one's dreams into reality.

When the teachers began discussing which value to add to our class name in addition to "masa," journey, we were struck by the ways in which we hope the children will come into their own over the course of the year. On our journey to this point, as a larger class, each child had deepened his/her strengths and progressed in areas of growth. Now, in our new class, we hope to build off of this journey to help each child flourish and become more him/ herself -- to follow curiosities in play and in conversation, to build knowledge, and to gain pro-social skills and independence.

Already, in our first weeks as Kehillat Masa Hagshamah, we have seen new interests arise and new dynamics at play. Children have begun making music on our dramatic play plates, investigating tonality and it's relation to size and material. Pairs of children explore

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jews in the pews

Ivan Millender - AA Congregant & Minyanaire

M

y name is Ivan Millender. Most of you should know me by now because the synagogue is my second home. My wife, Shirley, and I have been members of the congregation since 1965, having affiliated immediately after getting married. However, my connection with the AA goes back far earlier than the year of becoming a member since my family members on both sides have been affiliated with the synagogue since the late 1890s.

My maternal grandmother was married by the AA rabbi in 1904; my father had his bar mitzvah in the shul’s first building, and I have two grandparents buried at Oakland.

Both of my children had their B'nai Mitzvah at the AA.

telling my mother that he would be a little late for supper because he was going to attend a minyan so that a particular person could say kaddish, and mother was also told to instruct me to attend also in case they were short of ten men. Thus, a sense of obligation to serve the needs of other Jews was instilled. Very few Jews in large Jewish communities have this sense of obligation, and, despite coming from a relatively observant home, had I grown up in Atlanta, I doubt I would have developed this sense of Jewish obligation and participation that I experienced in Dalton. I have also noticed among my contemporaries, that those from other small Jewish communities also developed similar commitments to Jewish participation and affiliation, and those Jews My parents relocated to Dalton, GA residing in these shrinking communities following their marriage and remained still strive to keep tradition alive. This there for over 50 years. In 1940, Rabbi brings to mind, my friend, Penson Epstein came to Dalton, and following Two remarks I have etched in my memory. Kaminsky, of Fitzgerald, who with his wife, a speech at an event held in my parents’ The first: the synagogue had a dinner for Claudia, and others, such as the members home, led the local Jewish families there its new members, of which we were the of the Perlis family, are in this regard, doing to establish a congregation, named invitees. The late Irving Galanty, then great mitzvahs on a continuing basis for Temple BethEl, which was “independent” Executive Director, spoke, and he remarked Jewish continuity. until the mid-1950s, when it affiliated that the synagogue had approximately with the Conservative Movement. The 1600 members (family units), of whom Our town had a lot of Jewish “transplants” congregation maintained a full-time Rabbi about one-third “floated in and out”, by from New York City, and many of them from 1943 until several years ago, when which he meant, that they joined to enroll would remark that they would have never the Jewish community dwindled to only their children in the religious school and developed a shul-oriented connection a few families, from a prior maximum then left when the youngest completed had they not moved to Dalton. Also, membership of between 55 and 60 families. his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The second another interesting observation is that remark was made by Philip Sunshine, who most abandoned keeping kosher homes Looking back on my experience growing stated that the economic model of the when they moved to Dalton, because they up in a small-town Jewish community, I shul was based upon family contributions said it was so inconvenient, ordering and realize that I gained a positive connection negotiated as a “deal”, so to speak; in arranging for shipment of kosher meat and outlook about being Jewish which I other words, the synagogue, as he put it, from out of town. As they would say,”--would not have most likely developed had “operated on the cheap” since people felt back in Brooklyn, there were large varieties I been raised in a city like Atlanta with no obligation nor commitment to pay more of kosher meats and products available its relatively large “full-service” Jewish than standard dues for their classification, around the corner.” Keeping a kosher home community. This is because I developed a and less via “group rates” for a whole family in Dalton wasn’t easy. In my early youth, sense of OBLIGATION to participate in and by checks written “through the business.” the meat came from Chattanooga, and later contribute to the community. I observed from Atlanta, shipped on dry ice on the early-on that, in Atlanta, the majority of My experience growing up in the Dalton bus. The late Morton Gilner and his father Jews, even if affiliated with congregations, congregation was the opposite. Even would take the meat order downtown to had no hand-on participation in the affairs as youngsters, we developed a sense of the bus station and make sure it went out of the synagogue. They just expected the obligation to participate in the activities quickly on the next scheduled bus in order institution to operate with paid staff and of the congregation. For instance, the shul to avoid spoilage. Later, Arthur Strauss other volunteers; they took for granted had a tradition of guaranteeing a minyan began deliveries of kosher meats to various that the synagogue would be there for on any day of the week for whomever, Southern communities, door-to-door. them whenever their needs required it. member or visitor, had a yahrzeit and Our house was the first stop on the way to To them, there would always be a minyan wished to say kaddish. I can recall, as a Chattanooga and Knoxville. And I further functioning any morning or evening on teenager, my father calling home and

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a weekday, and a nice crowd on Shabbat.

However, the average congregant had no desire to participate on a regular basis to make sure that these prayer services would continue with strength and that the other activities would also smoothly operate and move ahead. All they had to do was write a check to pay dues, but only enough to help meet the budget, but seldom enough to bolster the financial stability of the organization, such as by developing a substantial endowment to insure congregational continuity and upkeep of the infrastructure. These obligations were left to the generosity of a minority of wealthy members. And how did they define a “wealthy family” who should pay more?

Anyone who had more financial resources than they did. And for them, just fly under the radar, so to speak.

remember that, in the 1940s and until early 1950, we had no freezer, except for the small freezing compartment at the top of the refrigerator that held the pair of ice trays.

Next came the new fridge with the separate freezer on top. So keeping tradition was not easy, but it was done, despite occasional complaints. And interestingly enough, the few established “Southerners” in the Jewish community didn’t abandon the practice since it was an established part of their struggle to maintain Jewish identity and tradition. I still have the large board that our family used to kasher the meat when it arrived, since in the earlier days, this step in the process was not done by the butcher, like it is today.

obligation to attend services and help keep yahrzeit observance alive, and maybe those who have abandoned it will find fulfillment again in honoring the memories of their loved ones. We are the only religion which honors the deceased in such a dignified way.

Yahrzeit observance is an integral part of the meaning of the Fifth Commandment: HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER. The AA has continued to provide daily services seven days a week and we welcome members as well as non-members to attend. This activity is at the core of the synagogue’s spiritual mission. We continue this daily commitment in spite of diminished attendance, for which I am proud to participate.

So what’s the bottom line? I realize that people and times have changed and that religious observance has waned; however, this change has not arisen solely on account of lost interest and assimilation, as I observe families with a proselytized or non-Jewish spouse often are more observant and connected to the shul than the others. No, I believe that part of this phenomenon has grown out of a lack of commitment from Jewish leadership in shuls to promulgate a goal of advancing Jewish observance. The Rabbinate must be fearful of offending people from the bimah should they preach the positive as well as negative outcomes derived from religious observance or lack of it. Promulgation of Jewish traditional observances is seldom, if ever, heard as part of a sermon. Civic service and social justice are only two aspects of modernday Judaism and not its primary goals.

The sincere fellowship and close relationships which develop between minyan attendees remains an integral part of the participants’ lives, more so than any other activity. There is a spiritual bond created in the chapel which is unique, and the genuine caring and concern for each other, growing out of these connections, is unparalleled.

Conservative Judaism demands more than imitating the activities and projects of the local Rotary Club. If that is all the synagogue demands, then these needs can be met by joining a local civic club or other similar organizations and they are a lot cheaper.

What I am trying to say is that the synagogue needs greater member participation, along with adequate monetary support. The synagogue, not a community center or a golf club, should be a central organization of Jewish life. Financial support of a synagogue is just as important and required of us as donations to other worthwhile causes. We need people to realize that they have a Jewish

And it has been proven that people who regularly attend services on Shabbat, observe yahrzeits and attend minyans, together with keeping other observances, such as kashruth, lead longer and healthier lives as a reward for such constancy and structure in their lifestyle.

Look around you and you will realize that what I say is true.

So I suggest that you start coming to shul regularly, contribute your talents and hearts to this worthy institution, and by doing so, you will go a long way in fulfilling your obligation as a Jew to yourself as well as the Jewish community. There is no greater mitzvah than helping make a minyan so that a bereaved congregant can say kaddish and receive consolation from other worshippers.

And, even more importantly, you will gain a clearer understanding of the true reason for your existence on this Earth from the insightful words of wisdom and principles you will find in the prayer book, and, by so doing, you will integrate Hashem into your life as your principal guidepost, for without Him, you are essentially straying in the sea without a rudder.

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 12

sisterhood

From the Co-chairs

by Debra Elovich & Judy Marx

P

assover is behind us and spring has sprung! Along with starting to plan for next year, we are also beginning to look ahead at Ahavath Achim Sisterhood’s Centennial Celebration in 2020. Our Sisterhood will have been bringing AA women together for friendship and service for 100 years, truly an amazing milestone. With the anniversary year only 18 months away, we are collecting ideas and looking for volunteers to plan a year-long celebration.

Also, looking to the future, the AA Sisterhood Nominating Committee will begin the process of bringing in new leaders. If you are interested in taking a leadership role as we welcome in the next century of AA Sisterhood, please contact Debra or Judy.

There are lots of ways to get involved in Sisterhood. Now is the time for you to find your place in with us. Be a part of what is happening.

Volunteer to help for one event, or join us at a gathering: Naomi’s Book Club, Latte and Learn, Rosh Chodesh or our any of our upcoming programs! Then after you’ve had a wonderful time, you’ll invite your friends to join you at the next event, and before you know it, Sisterhood will be your home too!

Watch for information on our year-end program, annual meeting and new board installation. We know it will be another fun and interesting program and an opportunity to highlight our successes of year and welcome new leadership.

As always, we look forward to connecting with you, hearing your ideas and just saying "Hi!" There is much to celebrate, we hope you’ll join us!

77th Donor Celebration Our Donor luncheon, A Celebration of Music” was a smash hit! More than 100 Sisterhood members clapped and sang along with the Congregation Bet Haverim choir. The closest thing the Jewish community has to a gospel choir, the CBH choir’s performance was inspirational and joyful and very entertaining. Big thanks go to Sherry Habif, who not only did her usual fantastic job with the room décor, but planned every part of the celebration. Every detail was perfect!

Since Donor is about the financial support for our synagogue community, we proud to announce that we exceeded our fundraising goal! We are deeply grateful for Betty Behr’s remarkable leadership, encouraging the Donor Captains and campaign workers to reach new potential donors and share the story of Sisterhood. Not to worry, if you haven’t made your gift yet, there’s still time. Your support always makes a difference.

Top: Srochi Audtorium was filled with Sisterhood donors enjoying the musical celebration and the festive décor; Bottom: The Bet Haverim Choir’s performance of Jewish and secular music was an uplifting and jubilant celebration that had everyone singing and clapping along.

Sherry Habif, Donor Event Vice President, welcomes everyone to a very special musical celebration.

13 • Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan

Madeleine Gimbel (left) and Diane Bernstein (right) present Diane Cohen with the beautiful Torah Fund pin in recognition of her longtime devotion to and hard work on behalf of AA Sisterhood.

Z’havah members show off their artwork and newest piece of Judaica for their homes.

rosh chodesh

Z'havah

Naomi's Book Club

As part of Sisterhood’s Z'havah programming, Rachael Joseph and Alison Feldman planned a lovely and creative afternoon on Sunday, March 11. The group designed and painting their very own silk Challah Covers in the art room at the Ahava preschool.

Thanks to artist Hellene Vermillion who showed us how to paint on silk to make our Shabbat tables beautiful and elegant.

Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion. May’s book is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, and the discussion will be led by Rene Montaigne. June’s book is Before We Were Yours by Celeste Lisa Wingate, and the discussion will be led by Patsy Little. For more information, contact Madeleine Gimbel at 404.355.7711.

Monday, may 7 and June 4 @ 10:15 am

Tuesday, May 15 @ 7:30 pm

Since ancient times, ritual and lore have linked women to the New Moon. Today gatherings to celebrate Rosh Chodesh are widespread. Join Sisterhood for personal and spiritual growth through discussion with other women, followed by refreshments and time to socialize. You, too, can lead one of our sessions or be a host.

AA Sisterhood's Rosh Chodesh discussion group meets monthly at 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, contact Susan Sandler at shsand3@bellsouth.net.

Rosh Chodesh

Visit aasynagogue.org/sisterhood to join and find out more about our community. Questions? Contact Alyson Lapes at 404.630.9483 or Debra Siegel at 404.509.6115.

WLCJ Southern Region Conference April 22 - 24 | Congregation B'nai Torah

There's still time to register! The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism's Southern Region Conference, “Many Strong and Beautiful Women,” will be held at B'nai Torah from April 22 - 24. During this conference, we will have the opportunity to reconnect with each other, meet new friends, learn from a variety of workshops, celebrate the success of the departing Board, welcome the new Board, and honor a deserving Sisterhood member.

Add to your leadership skills by joining with many strong and beautiful Women's League members from Sisterhoods across the South. Gain new insight and Interact with fellow Sisterhood members to celebrate your successes, and to share and discover various ways to deal with your Sisterhood challenges.

Did you know you can join Sisterhood online?

Highlights include: • Women's League for Conservative Judaism's (WLCJ) 100 Anniversary • Israel's 70th Anniversary • Torah Fund's 70th Anniversary • Southern Region's New Board • PGW Award Winner • Sisterhood Milestones and Awards • Sisterhood Gift Shops from across the Region have donated items for a raffle - enter for • Sisterhoods will share successful projects and programs • Tzedekah project - We will be collecting books for pre-school children!

• Continuation of International Tzedekah project - We will “Support the Girls!”

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 14

Toasting Our Rebbetzins from the AJT - by Bobby Ezor, Rebbetzin Gala co-chair

O

ur Synagogue paid a moving tribute during Shabbat morning service Saturday, February 10, to our two rebbetzins, Susan Hart Sandler and Brooke Haber Rosenthal, and the crucial role they play in congregational life.

The recognition was part of a weekend dedicated to wives of the rabbis who have served AA throughout its history. David Covell of Avenue K catered a grand Kiddush after the service.

The rebbetzins’ friends, Delcy Harber and Erica Cozewith, introduced the honorees, who addressed the large crowd in the main sanctuary.

Susan has handled many synagogue roles with grace and determination. Through her social work at Weinstein Hospice, she has helped families face end-of-life issues with dignity.

She says that when Rabbi Sandler came to Atlanta for his initial interview, she insisted on accompanying him “because this is really about teamwork.”

Reva Epstein and Rae Goodman to the present. Marianne focused on how each woman fulfilled the ever-changing role of rebbetzin in her own way.

A short documentary, “The First Ladies of AA,” fleshed out Marianne’s talk during the gala Saturday night. Written by Vincent Coppola, narrated by Miriam Strickman Levitas, directed by Bobby Ezor, and produced by Paul and Donna Grady of Dewitt Smith Video Productions, the film was as much a love story as a history.

The gala featured Joe Gransden and his 16-piece band in Srochi Hall. After cocktails, Helene and Michael Kates of the Baal Shem Tones led a high-energy hora highlighted by the rebbetzins being lifted high above the crowd.

Music arranger Wes Funderburke crafted a medley of Susan’s and Brooke’s favorite singers, from Diana Ross to David Bowie.

Cover Up Linens and Magnum Lighting adorned the hall with spectacular décor. Gourmet Catering by Chef Alex provided a sampling of the best cuisine from the rebbetzins’ hometowns, Los Angeles (Brooke) and New Orleans (Susan), as well as Atlanta.

Brooke also wears many hats, from co-chairing the parent organization for the Ahava Early Learning Center, to founding Modern Elders, a nonprofit organization to help seniors struggling One of the day’s highlights involved Susan and Brooke finishing with today’s pervasive information technology—all while the line “You might be a rebbetzin if . . .” Among their punchlines: shepherding her husband and four young children.

“You prepare Shabbat dinner for 6 and end up with 16.”

“Many of the good deeds done by rebbetzins can be widespread to all folks within the congregation in terms of making others feel “You buy season tickets to the theater or a sports event but need to sell them welcome and in various community kindness,” says Brooke. or find alternative dates for nearly every game or performance.”

Rabbis Neil Sandler and Lawrence Rosenthal gave their wives priestly blessings, thanking them for the myriad of works they perform for the synagogue and the community as a whole.

Marianne Garber delivered an oral history of the rebbetzins of Ahavath Achim from its start in the 1880s through the illustrious

“You go to the grocery store and run into so many people you know, you end up walking out 30 minutes later without the groceries you came for.”

Marianne Garber summed up the celebration: “It’s not only what you do that we love. It’s who you are.”

A Special Thank You to Our Event Co-Chairs Bobby Ezor & Melinda Gertz

15 • Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 16

Need support?

We’re here to help.

Call or email us at 770.677.9487 or jgay@jfcsatl.org.

Aviv Older Adult Services Jewish Family & Career Services

17 • Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan

Social Action blood drive T

his was a hard winter with extreme weather and a terrible flu season - the need for blood donors was greater than ever. We sent out an urgent request for donors, and I am happy to say that we collected 60 pints of blood. Many thanks to the following AA Heroes who either donated or tried to donate. We appreciate you so much: Andrew Bharwani, Joe Citron, Avital Cohen, Stanley Cristol, Doug Diamond, Andy Edlin, Alexandra Eichenblatt, David Eichenblatt, Adam Gertz, Melinda Gertz, Celia Gilner, Philip Goldstein, Lynne Greenfield, Michael Greenfield, Tom Greenfield, Gail Habif, Fred Halperin, Michael Joseph, Lori Krinsky, Linda Lippitt, Wayne Markman, John Mateyak, June Neumark, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Rosalie Rosenthal, Rabbi Neil Sandler, Joan Schwartz, Andy Siegel, Richard Siegel, Gail Solomon, Aaron Stambler, Bob Tepper, Alan Wexler, Rina Wolfe

The need for blood is constant. the gratification is instant. by gail solomon, Blood drive chair

I'd also like thank the volunteers who make the day possible: Amy Arnold (Congregation Or Ve Shalom), Sam Benator (Congregation Or Ve Shalom and JWV), Susan Caller (AA), Avital Cohen (AA), Helen Scherrer Diamond (AA), Celia Gilner (AA and JWV), Bebe Kaplan (AA), Robert Max (JWV), Dave Norflus (AA), and Clare Wheeler (student volunteer). A special thanks to the Synagogue staff: Chris Carr, Deionta Huff, Ken Johnson, Wesley Coney, and Marcus Thomas.

AA's next Blood Drive will be on May 6, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. We would like to recruit 10 new donors for our May Blood Drive! Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and, enter code JWV. For more information or questions about reserving an appointment, contact Gail Solomon at 404.351.1900 or gailsol@gmail.com.

Blood Drive Co-Sponsors: Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Congregation Shearith Israel, Congregation Or Ve Shalom, Jewish War Veterans Post 112, and Fulton Lodge No. 216 F. & A.M.

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 18

capital campaignNews

thank you to our campaign donors Davis and Sandy Abrams Douglas Adair Sandra Adair Sheila and David Adelman Fred and Cookie Aftergut Ahavath Achim Sisterhood Judge Gary Alembik Judith M. Alembik Herb and Ann Alperin Moose Alperin Marty and Richard Alterman Sara Alterman Steve Alterman and Marci Ball Anonymous Jessica C. Arluck and Douglas S. Ander Phyllis and Joseph Arnold Dolores and Harold Arnovitz Phyllis and Eliot Arnovitz Irene Aronin Rachel and Michael Avchen Bernice Bach Judy and Joe Balaban Michael and Jamie Balk Pat and Jack Balser Dr. Bruce and Cindy Becker Dr. Bruce and Linda Beeber Betty Behr, Kara Behr, Sara and Jonathan Hoffenberg Stan and Rabbi Judith Beiner Faith Benda Gerald and Vicki Benjamin Julia and Terry Bernath David Bernstein Diane and Marvin Bernstein Marlene Gelenter Besser and Abe Besser Jutta and Sidney Blase James Blasingame and Toby Schonfeld Martha and Herbert Blondheim Jerome and Elaine Blumenthal Rita and Arthur Bodner Hedy and Aaron Borenstein Lindsay and Evan Borenstein Adam and Suzanne Bressler Linda and Richard Bressler Adam and Rachelle Capes Charlenne and Richard M. Carl Ben Cavalier Leonard and Valerie Chill Mark Coan and Family in loving memory of Ruth Coan z"l The Coca-Cola Company Anne Cohen and Craig Silverman Bernard and Rae-Alice Cohen Generations Fund/Alan and Pamela Cohen David and Julie Cohen Judge Ezra and Kitty Cohen Harold and Diane Cohen Jeffrey and Cheryl Cohen Latifa Cohen in honor of Joseph Cohen z"l Lisa and Walter Cohen Lori and Gregg Cohen Marcy Cohen Mark and Tova Cohen Pauline Cohen Stanley J. Cohen Mrs. Victor Cohen and Family Linda and Richard Collier Rachael and Jonathan Colton Adolphus and Eileen Coolik Stanley Cristol Nikki and Randy Crohn Doug and Margo Diamond Shelly and Allen Dollar Sam, Eddie, Liora and Amir Dressler Mark Eden Jordan and Ana-Maria Eisner Debra Elovich and James Gray The Engelhard Family Lauren Estrin and Andrew Deutsch Linda and Abram Estroff Norman Estroff and Mark and Sarah Cohen

19 • Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan

Elisa and Bobby Ezor Ken and Barbara Feinberg Joel and Allison Feldman Muriel H. Feldman Emanuel and Stacy Fialkow Diana Fiedotin Barry Fields Robert and Pat Fine Donna and Mark Fleishman Gail Foorman and Dr. Craig Tovey Lori and Jordan Forman Ramon and Jody Franco Richard and Phyllis Franco Frank Family Foundation The Esther and Jake Friedman Family Gerald and Sandi Friedman Jared and Beth Friedman Murray and Lynn Friedman Sylvia Friedman Andree and Marc Frost Susan and Fulton Frumin Jane Fryer Frances and Stuart Galishoff Drs. Stephen and Marianne Garber Renie and David Geller Gail Gellman Ruth Gershon Maury Isenberg Gerson Melinda Gertz Don and Celia Gilner Kenneth and Madeleine Gimbel Carol and Robert Glickman Larry and Margo Gold Dr. Daniel and Marni Goldman Bernie Goldstein Doris and Martin Goldstein Eve and Joel Goldstein Karen and Steven Goldstein Leon Goldstein and Family in honor of Betty Goldstein z"l Larry and Stella Gordon Neil and Susan Gordon Nancy and Mike Greenberg Katie and Daniel Greene Lynne and Thomas Greenfield Jeremy Greenstein and Elizabeth Ravage Steve and Heleen Grossman Michael and Gail Habif Morris Habif Frank and Helen Hahn Alvin and Sherry Halpern The Halpern-Oppenheimer Family Foundation Hammer Family Josh Hanna and Sharon Funk Delcy Pardo Harber The Family of Rick and Lori Harber Fran, Edward and Eddie Harrell Marvin and Natalie Harris Gloria and Howard Hecht Helen Hersch and Harold Hersch z"l Jack and Michal Hart Hillman Stuart Harvey Hillman Gail and Gil Holzer Barbara and Michael Horowitz Gary and Jean Jackson Barbara and Steven Jacobs Paul and Stephanie Jacobs Dennis B. Jaffe Marcia Jaffe Jeanne Johnson-Whatley Rachael and Michael Joseph Rhalda Kahn and Ralph Kahn z"l Susan and Robert Kahn Charlotte and Allen Kaminsky Barbara and Alan Kaplan and Family Lisa Kaplan Philip and Sally Kaplan Theodore and Ann Kaplan Ernestine Kasriel in loving memory of Dr. Robert Kasriel and Sarita G. Kasriel Helene and Michael Kates Jean and Richard Katz

Jeffrey and Alison Kaufman Judy and Martin Kogon Michael and Laurie Kogon Ross and Sara Kogon Elaine and Alan Kolodkin Darryl and Roslyn Konter Elissa and Harris Konter Doris and Beryl Koplin Marsha and Mark Kozinn Phyllis and Jerry Kraft Russell and Cheryl Kramer Lana and Richard Krebs Carlyn and Barry Kriegel Lori and Lee Krinsky Janet and Hilton Kupshik Arnold and Starr Lande Rhona Landis Jean Lawson Craig and Faye Lefkoff Harold Lefkoff and Evelyn Lefkoff z"l Helen Lefkoff Lawrence and Marjorie Lefkoff Michelle and Jonathan Lerner and Family Renay and Alan Levenson Michael J. and Ann Levin Esther and Michael K. Levine Marshall and Nancy Levine Phyllis and Morton Levine Miriam Strickman Levitas and Family in memory of Dr. Theodore Clinton Levitas Michelle and Rich Levy Myrtle Lewin Miriam S. Lewis Cantor Robert Lieberman and Rabbi Vicki Lieberman Dr. and Mrs. Paul Liebman Barbara Lincoln and Gary Rosenshein Drs. Linda Nathanson-Lippitt and Alan Lippitt William and Patsy K. Little Joel Lobel and Debbie Smith Bob and Sandy London Alan and Lisa Lubel Malkin, Glazer and Hirsh Family Joseph and Charlotte Marcus Rhoda and Stephen Margolis Judy Marx Corinne and John Mateyek Sherry and Harry Maziar Lev and Berta Mebel Jerome and Joanne Mendel Lee Mendel Ivan and Shirley Millender Lori and Wayne Miller Mimi's Fund Susan Moray Vicki and Steve Morris and Family Barbara and George Nathan Laura Nelson Dr. Dorothy Rosenthal and William Nerenberg Shari Neumann Dr. Philip and Donna Newman David Norflus Francine Norflus Leon and Brenda Novak Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer Barbara and Sanford Orkin and Family Hank Oxman Alon and Sheri Panovka Sara and Mark Papier Dan Paradies z"l Gregg and Beth Paradies James Paradies z"l Anna Pichulik Jo Pichulik and Louis Pichulik z"l Alan and Sally Pinsker Barbara and Richard Planer Michael Plasker and Ellen Arnovitz Dara and Arthur Povlot Barry and Lynn Prusin Mark and Sharon Reich Ralda and Martin Reish

Bruce and Vickie Reisman Shirley and Donald Reisman Andrew and Susan Canter Reisner David Rhones Bruce and Barbara Ribner Lori Rich Shirley Rich Andrew and Nancy Rinzler Robert and Renee Rinzler Stanley and Marlene Rinzler Flora and Bernard Rosefsky Charles and Ann (Bunny) Rosenberg Joel and Jennifer Rosenfeld Carl and Rosalie Rosenthal Brooke and Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Michael Ross Ralph Sacks Susan and Rabbi Neil Sandler Annette Saparow Milton and Virginia Saul Cathy and Jeff Schaffer Linda and Abe Schear Susan and Stuart Schlansky Ray and Susan Schoenbaum Alan and Judy Schulman Alan and Joan Schwartz Joseph and Jill Segal Drs. Julie and William Segal Dr. and Mrs. Richard Shmerling Irma Shulman-Weiner Marianne Shultzberg Betty Ann Shusterman Andy and Caryn Siegel Philip and Debra Siegel Richard H. Siegel Barry Silver Brenda Silverman Susan E. Simon Judy and Allen Soden Denise and Stephen Spiegel Jack Spielberg z"l Jennifer and Kevin Spindel The Srochi Family Allen and Merna Stein Bert Stein Howard and Irene Stein Judy and Stanley Stein Stanley and Marilyn Steinberg Toby and Gayle Steinberg Steven and Lynne Steindel Mark and Tamar Stern Merrill Stern Estelle and Walter Strauss Ruth and Hiram Sturm Charitable Remainder Trust Dr. Alan and Betty Sunshine Rick and Cathy Swerdlin Ben and Julie Taube Dr. Paul Teplis Jeannie and Bob Tepper Karla Tievsky and Seth Kirschenbaum Sharon Eienel Torreyson Renee and Gary Unell The Vantosh Family Cecile Cohen Waronker and William Waronker z"l Drs. Nancy and Mark Weiner Lauren and David Weinstein Mark Weinstein Aletta and Greg Weitz Drs. Julius and Nanette Wenger Alan Wexler Marlene Wexler Perlman The Wildstein Family Larry and Sheila Wilensky Joel and Hannah Williams Susan and Jonathan Winner Karen and Eli Wise Rina Wolfe and Jack Wolfe z"l Sonia Fishkin and Andrew Zangwill Sharon J. Zinns Jeannette and Michael Zukor Jack Zwecker and Sophie Zwecker z"l (as of 3/5/18)

calendar & Volunteer aa Events

Youth Programs

Groove Shabbat saturday, May 5 @ 10:30 am

adult Jewish education Tuesdays@AA - Tuesdays @ 10 am - 12 PM

Join the rabbis and fellow congregants every Tuesday for an educational experience about current events and the Bible.

Unraveling the Talmud Wednesdays @ 5 pm

Join Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal in the Koplin/Borochoff Library every Wednesday as we dive into the minds of our rabbis and rabbinic tradition.

Explore the Talmud, the central text of our Jewish life, and learn its basic structure and amazing and spiritual impact. No previous knowledge of the Talmud is necessary. For more information, contact Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal at lrosenthal@ aasynagogue.org.

talmud berakhot: blessings upon blessings - thursdays @ 8:30 am

Join Rabbi Sandler every Thursday morning for a study group following Morning minyan. For more information, contact Rabbi Neil Sandler at nsandler@ aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5740.

torah study - Saturdays @ 10 am

Please join us for Torah Study session every Saturday morning. For a list of facilitators, visit aasynagogue.org/learning/adult.

piedmont study group w/ the rabbis every second wednesday @ 2:30 pm

Join the rabbis every second Wednesday of the month at the Piedmont at Buckhead (650 Phipps Blvd NE, Atlanta 30326).

Young family shabbat dinner - What's Shul Got to do with it? - Friday, April 20 @ 5:30 pm Celebrate Shabbat with your AA family by joining us for a Southern Homestyle Shabbat dinner! Our Director of Education, Marc Silberstein, will provide us with a lively discussion - "What's Shul Got to Do with It?" - about the role a synagogue can play in each person's life. We will use Jewish wisdom, contemporary research, and personal experiences to shape the ideal relationship between a synagogue and families. Registration and more info: bit.ly/2uwpRIy.

Sisterhood Mah Jongg - Sundays @ 10 am

Please join Sisterhood women every Sunday to play, schmooze, have fun, and connect with other women. We are patient, willing to teach, and will welcome you. For more information, contact Nancy Canter Weiner at ncweiner@mindspring.com.

2018 HaNegev Regional Convention April 20 -22

Are you #Ready2Play on the Gev Show Network? Join USyers from across HaNegev at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando!

Enjoy a weekend of friends, fun, ruach, games, and food. AA USYers - let's show HaNegev what we've got! Registration and more info: regpacks.com/hanegev1718.

Latte and Learn Thursday, April 19 and May 17 @ 10:30 am

Join the Rabbis, Sisterhood, and other friends for a morning of coffee (or tea), conversation, and learning at Panera Bread (4531 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta 30346).

For more information, contact Roslyn Konter at 770.986.3697 or rpkonter@gmail. com.

Naomi’s Book Club Monday, may 7 and June 4 @ 10:15 am

Lunch and Learn - Every third wednesday @ 12 pm

Join the Rabbis for lunch and learning at the offices of Birnbrey, Minsk, Minsk, and Perling (1801 Peachtree St NW #300, Atlanta 30309). To RSVP and pre-order lunch, contact Jill Rosner at jrosner@aasynagogue. org or 404.603.5741.

Come join Mr. Michael and PJ Library one Saturday each month for stories and interactive songs celebrating Shabbat and upcoming Jewish holidays. Enjoy stories and songs followed by snacks, playtime, and Kiddush lunch. Everything is free and geared towards families with children ages 0-4.

Not Your Normal minyan Saturday, April 28 and June 2 @ 10:30 am

The renowned Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, used to call prayer a “dialogue” between man and God. Buber's philosophy is at the core of our new family Shabbat morning program; you and your child(ren) will engage in a dialogue with God through niggunim (wordless melodies), meditation, discussion, celebration, and, of course, laughter.

Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion. May’s book is Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, and the discussion will be led by Rene Montaigne. June’s book is Before We Were Yours by Celeste Lisa Wingate, and the discussion will be led by Patsy Little. For more information, contact Madeleine Gimbel at 404.355.7711 or visit the AA events calendar at aasynagogue.org/events.

rosh chodesh discussion group Tuesday, May 15 @ 7:30 pm (see page 14 for more info)

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 20

Other AA Events

aa volunteer/sociaL ACTION Opportunities Blood Drive - sunday, MAY 6 @ 9 am - 2 pm (see page 16 FOR MORE INFO)

Sisterhood Torah Fund

Torah Fund supports the five major educational institutions of the Conservative Movement and helps to ensure a healthy future for Conservative Judaism. These institutions educate not only rabbis and cantors but also administrators, social workers, and lay leaders. This year, there are five new beautiful Torah Fund Greeting Cards. To purchase cards, contact Glenna Hornstein at 904.616.1697 or itsallrelative@bellsouth. net.

ALEF Fund

Support Ahavath Achim's preschool, Ahava Early Learning Center, by redirecting a portion of your GA state income tax through the Alef Fund. Find out how you can support our preschool by visiting the website at aleffund.org!

Greeters Needed

If you can smile and say "Shabbat Shalom" then you are a fully trained greeter.

Greeters welcome everyone with a smile.

They stay in the foyer in front of Ellman Chapel for approximately one hour on Shabbat. To join the greeter team, contact Mildred or Marty Kwatinetz at zaydekw@ comcast.net or 404.812.1734.

Membership Committee Volunteer Opportunity The membership committee

is looking for friendly members who want to make welcome phone calls to new members, invite new members to Shabbat dinner, or help bake and deliver challot to new members. If you'd like to help, please contact Sharon Zinns at sharonzinns@ gmail.com or Mark Papier at papier.mark@ gmail.com.

share your skills

Do you have skills (or expertise) you’d like to share? For example, do you have a background in Public Relations, Writing, Event Planning and/or Coordination, Volunteerism, Fundraising, Teaching, Customer Service, Research, Education, Sales, etc.? We’d love to know about it!

Please email Miriam Habif, Membership and Event Coordinator, at mhabif@ aasynagogue.org with information about the skill-set you can bring to the table.

21 • Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan

On May 3, MACoM will honor Synagogue Service Action Heroes at the 2nd Annual Mitzvah for the Mikvah event. Meet the heroes whose passion, purpose and leadership impact Jewish life through philanthropy, community building and social action. The beautiful independent mikvah is a serene spiritual place offering a personalized Jewish experience for each immersion guest. Let's celebrate and say Thank You! More info: bit.ly/2ucKnxr.

2018 FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner and 70th Anniversary Monday, May 14

Sisterhood's Mah Jongg Card Fundraiser

If you did not order a 2018 Mah Jongg card and would still like to buy one, please contact Barbara Nathan at 404.406.8770.

Standard size = $8; Large size = $9.

Community Events JNF Israel@70 A Platinum Jubilee Thursday, April 19 @ 6 pm

The Jewish National Fund invites you to an evening of comedy, music, and celebration featuring guest performer, Sarge, an entertainer who has performed worldwide to adoring audiences. His sidesplitting comedy, touching vocals, and stunning display of dexterity as a pianist have wowed crowds for decades. Sarge’s insights into the Israel we love will add to the celebration of our homeland. More info: bit.ly/2nr4a5K.

Seventy years to the day, FIDF invites you to come together for the FIDF Atlanta Gala Dinner, Saluting Israel: 70 Years of Heroes and Hope.

This year’s celebration will take place at InterContinental Buckhead and will feature an exceptional line-up of inspiring soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Registration and more info: bit.ly/2J690iH.

Community volunteer/sociaL ACTION Opportunities Jewish Fertility Foundation - become a partner Consider making a donation this

New Year to help JFF continue to provide services in 5778. Whether $18 or $1,800, you will be helping to create Jewish children and ease the suffering of Jewish couples.

By helping to create a child, you have an immeasurable impact on the world. For more information about the Jewish Fertility Foundation, visit bit.ly/2yoecfW.

have you seen our monday motivation eblasts? Every Monday our eblast

features a different congregant, a cause that is meaningful to him/her, and the organization he or she is involved in to support the cause. If you would like to expose "your" cause and teach others how they can get involved, please reach out to Director of Marketing, Anne Cohen, at acohen@aasynagogue.org.

A Mitzvah for the Mikvah Thursday, May 3 @ 7 - 9:30 pm

Israel@70 Sunday, April 29 @ 10:30 am - 4 pm

CCC's 6th Annual Poker and Raffle Fundraiser- May 3

Save the date for an evening of Texas hold 'em and raffle prizes while supporting Join us for an all-day festival celebrating Creating Connected Communities (CCC).

Israel's 70th birthday! Local music, Prizes include everything from restaurant community art project, cooking demo, gift cards to upscale hotel stays to a Israeli tech innovations and fun and outdoor games for every age with a special weekend getaway in Las Vegas! Entry fee: place to lounge in the Atlanta Jewish Times' $100 donation - $50 re-buy offered once Chill Zone. Israeli favorites and kosher food per player. For more info, please contact available for purchase. Tickets are on sale at Cindy Karol at cindy@cccprojects.org. jewishatlanta.org/israelat70tickets/.

AH A

E’S GU

CHIM SYNAG A H O T A V

fRIDAY, mAY 4, 2018

Summer’s coming, and Ahavath Achim is going back to camp! Please join us for our community-wide Camp Shabbat. The evening will feature a musical “camp style” tefillah in the Ahava play yard, followed by a dinner that will remind you of your camp days, whether they were last year or 50 years ago (but with better food)! We’ll also celebrate our youth and say “L’hitraot” before they embark on their own transformative Jewish experiences this summer.

Registration and more info: aasynagogue.org/event/camp-shabbat.

Beineinu • Iyar | Sivan • 22

weekly service schedule

We are a dynamic, egalitarian, conservative congregation that inspires our members to forge strong connections with God, Jewish life, Israel, and our community.

stay connected

Morning minyan (Monday - Friday)

7:15 am

Morning minyan (Sunday)

8:30 am

Evening minyan (Sunday - Thursday)

6:00 pm

Shabbat Evening Service (Friday)

6:30 pm

@AASynagogueATL

Shabbat Morning Service (Saturday)

9:00 am

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

facebook.com/AhavathAchimSynagogue

@aasynagogueatl

Neil Sandler, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Rabbi Jill Rosner, Assistant to the Rabbis Barry Herman, Interim Executive Director Catherine Ficke, Executive Assissant Jordan Forman, Ritual Director Hannah Williams, Ahava Early Learning Center Director Marc Silberstein, Director of Education Nicole Flom, Assistant Education Director Lindsay Borenstein, Director of Development Shana Dukette, Capital Campaign Administrative Assistant Anne Cohen, Director of Marketing & Community Relations Lauren Dube, Marketing Coordinator & Graphic Designer Miriam Habif, Membership & Event Coordinator Joe Jones, Director of Security Chris Carr, Director of Facilities Wesley Coney, Facilities Anika Johnson, Facilities Ken Johnson, Facilities Ian Madge, Facilities Marcus Thomas, Facilities Stan Vogel, Finance Manager Fern Schorr, Receptionist Rob Wildstein, President Rick Swerdlin, Executive Vice President Rick Harber, Financial Vice President Stacy Fialkow, Vice President Dick Planer, Vice President Arthur Povlot, Vice President Debra Elovich and Judy Marx, Sisterhood Co-Presidents Zoe Glickman, Kadima President

Beineinu‌ between you and me The Newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Our newsletter is funded by a grant from The Center Family Foundation

Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 | www.aasynagogue.org | 404.355.5222